Ethnography of Archaeology: Diversity in the Production, Utilization, and Transformation of Archaeological Knowledge

Keywords

Archaeology,Diversity,Science and Technology Studies

Objectives

Archaeology is generally considered to be the scientific study of the past. At the same time, archaeological knowledge and artifacts are increasingly embroiled in national-ethnic politics or used as resources for tourism development throughout the world. This tension between archaeology as “science” and “social practice” has led archaeologists to reflexively engage with the discipline’s various colonialist and nationalist histories as well as present-day ethical responsibilities. Examining the diverse ways archaeological knowledge is created and consumed, this joint research project seeks a broader understanding of the how archaeology creates individuals, changes social relations and worldviews, and builds new physical landscapes.
　
Our aim is to produce multi-sited ethnographic and historical studies of archaeological practices divided into three main themes. (1) The learning processes and skill acquisition required of both archaeologists and non-specialists, showing archaeology shapes individuals’ perception, modes of communicating, and behavior. (2) The construction of archaeological data, which considers how activities during excavations or laboratory analysis transform physical materials under investigation. (3) The various ways archaeology is utilized: whether for building heritage-based tourism, rewriting ethnic-national histories, or providing inspiration for contemporary social movements.

Research Results

1. We developed a common understanding of what the ethnography of archaeology is. The object of study in the ethnography of archaeology is often excavations, but for this inter-university research project, anthropologists and practitioners of archaeology (archaeologists, ethnoarchaeologists, archaeology researchers, museum staff, and those who manage cultural heritage in international cooperation programs) involved in the process of producing archaeological knowledge confirmed that the object of study would include that process and the variety of ways that knowledge is utilized.
2. Based on the above-mentioned common understanding, we held research presentations and discussions on the following themes, inviting guest speakers as needed: “Reconstruction and Representation in Archaeology,” “Diversity of Data in Archaeology,” “Archaeological Practice Outside Japan by Japanese Archaeologists and Archaeological Practice in Japan as Seen from Outside Japan,” “Production Process of Data and Its Use,” “Communicating Archaeology to the Public,” “Archaeology and Cultural Heritage in Conflict Areas,” “Archaeological Material in School Collections,” and “Archaeological Practice from the Perspective of Theoretical Archaeology,” and established keywords that span participants’ individual research and practice (e.g. life history of things, restoration/reconstruction, data-making, archaeological and social memory, art and archaeology).
3. Preparations to publish the research results have been completed. The results will be published in the form of a collection of papers. Participants of the inter-university research project presented drafts and overviews of their papers, which were followed by question and answer sessions with said participants and discussions for revising their papers. Looking at archaeology from an anthropological perspective, archaeology starts from a data-making process, and the outcomes of archaeology are consumed by a community while also creating a new community. And because the data-making process is embedded in that community, the community also affects the data-making process. Furthermore, we confirmed the course of action to edit and publish a collection of papers that discuss from an anthropological perspective the “archaeological process” and its overall cycle as considered by this research project.